Thread-advancing reel



July 2, 1946.

R. w. STANLEY ET AL THREAD ADVANCING REEL Fild Oct. 29, 1945 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS.

PIC/44 0 W 5' 72/1/15 7' W/ZZ/A/V 8 10W! ATTOPNEX July 2, 1946. R. STANLEY ET AL ,0

THREAD ADVANCING REEL Filed Oct. 29, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 .EE X 3/. MM 5 m W w y 6- R. w. STANLE-Y ETAL THREAD ADVANCING REEL Filed Oct. 29, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet '3 C 0 in 4 m? N mwwflw T 5% mm,

Patented Juiy 2, 1946 mam-anvancmd REEL Richard w. Stanley, Drexel Hill, and William B.

Lowe, Chester,

Pa., on to American Viscose Corporation, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application October 29, 1943, Serial No. 508,174

23 Claims. (Cl. 28-7137) This invention relates to thread-advancin reels which may be used for the production of a yarn store which is continuously advanced axially of the periphery of the reel, during which time it may be subjected to fluid treatment in the manner and for the purposes conventional in the art.

It is a particular object of this invention to provide an improved thread-advancing reel. It is a further object of this invention to devise a reel which is adaptable'to either a cantilever or double-end supported structure. It is a'further object of the invention to provide a reel of this type based upon a structural principle which, when embodied in a reel of considerable axial length results in substantially uniform efficiency.

- in thread-advancing action throughout the length of the reel, and, at the same time, is adapted to operation at high speeds of rotation of the reel. Further objects and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the drawings and description thereof hereinafter.

In the drawings illustrative of the invention- Figure 1 is a mid-section taken axially half way through one embodiment of the reel of this invention;

preferably of such a character that displacement of the bars from a given position of rest, which may advantageously bethe mean axial position of these bars during operation of the-reel, is opposed resiliently by the mounting, but, during of the resilient mounting from its position of dis-'- placement from rest or mean position.

Referring more particularly to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the concentric set ;of Iongitudinally extending. bar members 2 are con- Figure 1a is a view partly in section showing Figure 5;

Figure I is a mid-section taken axially half way through a modified form of reel; and

Figure 8 is a section taken on line VIII-VIII of Figure "I.

In general, thread-storing, thread-advancing reels of this invention comprise a. concentric set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars and an eccentric set of spaced. longitudinally extending bars interdigitating with and alternating between the bars of the first set. The bars in the nonconcentric set are supported by a non-rigid and resiliently flexible mounting which allows axial displacementof the bars either individually or as associated groups with respect to the remaining bars in the set. This flexible mounting is any axial length desired, and which may house the actuating mechanism for the other set of interdigitating bars 5. This housing is supported for rotation with respect to shaft 9 by means of suitable bearings Iii and II. Flange I may be providedv with a non-circular projection I 2' which is adapted to fit in a corresponding socket I2 of a coupling in upon the shaft I2" which may be driven by the gear I2' keyed thereto.

1 fying the pitch of the helical path followed by the thread about the reel. Normally, shaft 9 is maintained stationary unless this pitch modification is found necessary. If shaft 9 is rotated at'an equivalent speed but in the oppositedirection as that of projection I2 the pitch will be twice that obtained when shaft 9 is held stationary. If shaft 9 is rotated at half the speed and in the same direction as proiection I2 the pitch obtained will be one half that obtained when shaft 9 is held stationary. V

. Two sleeves l4 and iii are mounted upon the shaft 9 and are suitably spaced by the ring IS. The sleeves M and it have external cylindrical surfaces whose axes are askew and eccentric to the axis of shaft 9 but parallel to each other. Upon each of the sleeves, a resilient spider member I7 is mounted, preferably by means of ball bearings l8. These spiders I! are of a resilient material, preferably of thin spring metal, and have individual radially extending members 19 between opposed pairs of which, the bars '5 are secured by suitable means, such as by the noncircular rod 20 embedded within inwardly-extending portions of the bars and the nuts 2|. Skew plates 22 and 23 are also carried by the bearings I8 and have outer flanged portions 24 which bear against the ends of the rods 20.

Where it is desired to protect the main operating partsfrom anypossibility of clogging and corrosion when the reel is used for subjecting the filamentary material to liquids, a flexible sealing membrane 25, such as of rubber or synthetic rubber, may be secured to the outer portion of the resilient supporting means for the non-concentric bars and to the ends of the concentric cylindrlcal cage as shown.

As shown, the annular member 3 projects beyond the flange B and overhangs the outer rim of a stationary member 8' which is integral with or afilxed to the support l3. The outer peripheral surface of the member 6' preferably slopes inwardly from its outer rim to a generally cylindrical portion, which serves to hold any accumulation of thread formed after breakage of the thread being handled by the reel or during lacing up of the reel or any machine comprising the I reel. Occasionally, stray filaments also tend to gather on this member 6'. The collecting member B has a surface of sufficient axial extent to provide adequate storage space and ready access for the operator to remove the accumulated filaments or threads at his convenience without danger of injury to his hands, and without the necessity either of stopping the reel or of giving it immediate attention when the above-mentioned emergencies arise.

In operation, the skew plate flanges 24 cause substantial axial motion of the bars 5, such motion being imparted individually to each of the bars 5 by virtue-of the individual resilient projecting'. members I9. By virtue of the eccentricity of the resilient supporting means and the bars 5, the axial to and fro motion of the bars imparted by the skew plates is combined with a radial component of motion which alternately causes first the protrusion of the bars 8 outside the periphery of bars 2 and then their recession within that periphery, thereby resulting in the advancing of the thread axially of the reel.

Figures 3 and 4 show a modification in which reference numerals with the suflix letter a corresponds to the parts in Figures 1 and 2 designated by the corresponding numerals without the suffix. Theparts correspond in function, but may not be identical in structure, as will be apparent from the description hereafter.

Shaft 9a has a portion having an eccentric cylindrical surface lid and another portion Ila is carried by a ball bearing I811 upon the askew and eccentric sleeve I ia. Each segmental unit of three bars 5a is connected at one end by a yoke 28a having an overhanging portion 21a provided with a recess adapted to bear against ball 28a. Suitable bolts 20a and nuts Zla secure the yoke 26a, the group of bars 5a and the flexible spider lla. Springs 2011 are provided and tend to secure a firm bearing between the balls 28a and the recesses formed in the associated yokes 26a and the skew plate structure 22a and 23a.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, an adaptation of the reel construction ofthe invention to a cantilever form of reel is shown. The concentric set of bar members 21) are formed by suitably slotting radially an integral cylindrical cage member 3b having an outwardly extending flange 4b. The member 31) is secured by cap screws 81) to the supporting flange 6b whose hub is secured and keyed to the end of the shaft 9b. The shaft is mounted for rotation within a stationary sleeve 30b suitably secured within a supporting bearing Mb. The end of the sleeve 38b adjacent the hub of flange 8b has a peripheral .surface Mb which is eccentric and askew with respect to the axis of shaft 9b and carries a skew plate 22b on a ball bearing IBb. A bushing 32b is carried by an adjacent peripheral surface of the sleeve 30b, which surface is eccentric but not askew with respect to the axis of shaft 9?). the amount of eccentricity being substantially the same as that of the surface Mb.

A pair of spaced flexible and resilient spiders llb fit about the bushing and are held in proper axial relation with respect thereto by suitable washers or rings, such as l6b. The flexible spiders are secured to either side of the inwardly extending portions of the movable bar members 517 by means of the bolts 20b and nuts 21b. Upon each washer-35b against which a spring 3811 is ar-' ranged to press, a pin 31b projecting from the head of the bolt 20b serving to guide the spring and to prevent its dislocation. A flexible sealing membrane 25bis'arranged to protect the working parts against the entrance of corrosive or abrasive materials.

In operation, the reel of Figures 5 and 6 is similar to the others shown, the only difference being that the springs 36b serve to assure that the bolts 20?) with their bar members 5b follow the movements of the skew plate 22b.

While the lengths of the reels shown in Figures 1 to 6 are of the same order of size as their diameter, the reels may be made of any length. regardless of their diameter. Figures '7 and 8 show a long reel similar in construction to the reel of Figure 1, and in these figures corresponding parts bear the same reference characters but with the addition of a postscript c. As shown in Figures '7 and 8, when reels whose length is many times the size of their diameter are desired, a larger number of flexible supporting members comprising the flexible spiders l'lc may be provided along the reel to obtain adequate support for the bars 50 to prevent them from sagging' in the middle frornthe tension load imof 7d posed by the filamentary material wound thereon.

The bars 20 are further strengthened by the inwardly extending longitudinal U-shaped braces 6| through the bottom of which rods 20c extend. Also additional support for the cylindrical cage having bars 20 may be provided in the form of one or more rigid spiders 38 rotatably mounted upon intermediate portions of the shaft to support a corresponding annular member 39 secured to the inner periphery of the bars 20. In addition, spaced rings 40 may be provided to stifien the set of bars 20 in the cylindrical cage member.

From a consideration of the various embodibut little energy since the tendency of a flexed resilient member to return to original position generally carries the flexed member 'well beyond its unstressedposition, so that but a small additional force is needed to complete the flexure to the full extent required by the cycle of operation of the reel. In this sense, the system is somewhat anal ogous to the action of the pendulum of a clock, except that a much greater advantage is obtained in the case of the flexible mounting when the reel is operated at high speeds, thereby increasing the frequency of flexing. The utmost advantage is obtained by designing the flexible members so that the portions thereof which undergo the repeated flexing have a natural period of vibration which is substantially identical with the period of flexure imposed thereon by the skew plate of the reel when'operated at the particular speed desired.

The variou parts of the reel may be made-of any particular materials desired. The construction of Figures 1 to 4, 7 and 8, lends itself readily to making the cylindrical cage members 3, the bar members and bar members 2 associated therewith of materials which oiTer the most satisfactory bearing surface for the filamentary material to be handled thereby from the standpoint of smoothness, durability, and/or resistance to corrosion under the influence of any liquids with which the filamentary material is to be treated while being advanced longitudinally of the reel, without making the remainder of the reel thereof. This is of tremendous importance from the viewpoint of initial and depreciation cost of such reels, since materials which best meet the requirements specified are generally considerably more expensive than related materials which would be fully adequate for all portions of the supporting structure of the reel other than those intended to contact the filamentary material. Thus, parts 2, 3, 4 and 5 may be made of porcelain, Durez, Alsimag, etc., while such other parts as 6 and 1 may be made of Bakelite, stainless steel, etc. These latter parts need not be made of materials which are entirely free of tendencies to be pitted or otherwise superficially altered by the combined action of corrosive chemicals and rubbing action of the filaments handled.

It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Reel mechanism comprising a set of, spaced longitudinally extending bar members, means for rotatably mounting said set of bar members about an axis, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bar members. interdigitatlng, with the members of the first set, flexible and resilient means for supporting the second set rotatably about an axis ofiset with respect to the axis of rotation of the first set, and means for imparting to a selected part of the econd set of bar members at predetermined intervals a substantially axial reciprccatory motion relative to the first set of bar members, said motion-imparting means comprising at least one member mounted for rotation with the bar members of the second set upon an axis askew to the axisof the bar members of the second set and arranged to co-operaie with the bar members of the second set through rigid extensions connected thereto.

2. Reel mechanism comprising a set of spaced, longitudinally extending bar members, means for rotatably mounting the set of bar members about an axis, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bar members interdigitating with .the members of the first set, a stationary eccentric bearing means, at least one flexible and resilient web mounted on the eccentric bearing means and carrying adjacent the periphery thereof the second set of bar members, a stationary bearing means askew to the stationary eccentric bearing means, a rigid, plate-like member mounted for rotation on the skew bearing means and having a portion arranged to co-operate with the bar members of the second set through rigid extensions connected thereto.

3. Reel mechanism comprising a set of spaced, longitudinally extending bar members, means for rotatably mounting the set of bar members about an axis, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bar members lnterdigitating with the members of the first set, a stationary eccentric hearing means, at least one flexible and resilient web mounted on the eccentric bearing means, and carrying adjacent the periphery thereof the second set of bar members, a stationary bearing means'askew to the stationary eccentric bearing means, a rigid plate-like member mounted for rotation on the skew bearing means and having .a portion. arranged to co-operate with the bar members of the second set through rigid extensions connected thereto, and spring means for urging the bar members of the second set into engagement with the plate-like member.

4. Reel mechanism comprising a set of spaced, longitudinally extending bar members, means for rotatably mounting the set of bar members about an axis, a second set of spaced, longitudinallyextending bar members interdig itating with the members of the first set, a stationary eccentric bearing means toward one end of the reel, a flexible and resilient web mounted on the eccentric bearing means and carrying adjacent its periphery one end of the second set of bar members, a

stationary bearing means toward the other end of the reel askew to the stationary eccentric bear-' tensions connected thereto, and ball and socket connections between. the plate-like member and the rigid extensions connected to the bar members.

5. Reel mechanism comprising a set of spaced longitudinally extending bar members, means for rotatably mmmting the set of bar members about an axis, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bar members interdigitating with the members of the first set, a stationary eccentricbearing means toward each end d the reel, said bearing means being also askew to the axis of rotation of the first set of bar members but having their axes substantially parallel to and offset with respect to each other, a flexible and resilient web rotatably mounted about the axis of each of said bearing means and carrying between portions ad- Jacent the peripheries thereof the second set of bar members, a rigid plate-like member mounted .for rotation on each of the eccentric and askew bearing means and having portions arranged to engage with the bar members of the second set through rigid extensions connected thereto.

6. A cantilever thread-advancing reel supported from one end only thereof comprising a rotatable shaft, a flange-like member secured and .keyed to the shaft, a set of spaced, longitudinally extending bar members carried by the flange-like member concentric with theshaft, a stationary sleeve about the shaft having eccentric external bearing. portions thereon, flexible and resilient supporting means rotatably mounted on the bar members of the second set and arranged to co-operate with the bar members of the second set through rigid extensions connected thereto.

9. Reel mechanism comprising a shaft, a set of spaced longitudinally extending bar members mounted concentrically about the shaft for rotation with respect thereto, a second setof spaced longitudinally extending members interdigitating with the members of the first set, flexible and resilient means for supporting the second set rotatably about the shaft about an axis offset with respect to the center thereof, and means for imparting to a selected part of the second Set of bar members at predetermined intervals 8. substantially axial reciprocatory motion relative to the first set of bar members, said means comprising at least one member mounted for rotation with the bar members of the second set upon an axis askew to the axis of the bar members of the second set and arranged to co-operate with the bar members of the second set through rigid extensions connected thereto, the bar members of the two sets being made of a material exerting substantially no appreciable detrimental influence upon the filamentary material being hanone of the eccentric bearing portions of the sleeve,

a. second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bar members interdigitating with those of the first set and fixedly secured to an outer portion of the supporting means, and means mounted on said sleeve forv controllably flexing the resilient supporting means for imparting to a selected part of the second set of bar members at predeterset of spaced, longitudinally extending bar members interdigitatingwith those of the first set and supported on the supporting means, another portion of the eccentric bearing surface of the sleeve being arranged with its axis askew to the axis of the shaft, a rigid plate-like member mounted for rotation on the skew portion of the sleeve and having a portion arranged to co-operate with the bar members of the second set through rigid extensions connected thereto.

8. Reel mechanism comprising a shaft, a set of spaced longitudinally extending bar members mounted concentrically about the shaft for rotation with respect-thereto, a second set of spaced longitudinally extending members'interdigitating with the members of the first set, flexible and resilient means for supporting the second set rotatably about the shaft on an axis offset with respect to the center thereof, and means for imparting to a selected part of the secondset of bar members at predetermined intervals -a substantially axial reciprocatory motion relative to the first set of bar members, said motion-imparting means comprising at least one member mounted for rotation with the bar members or thesecondsetuponanaxisaskewtotheaxisof.

died..

10. Reel mechanism comprising a set of spaced longitudinally extending bars, means for rotatably mounting said set of bars about an axis, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars interdigitating with the bars of the first set. means comprising ball and socket connections for supporting the bars of the second set rotatably about an axis offset with respect to the axis of rotation of the first set.

11. Reel mechanism comprising a set of-spaced longitudinally extending bars, means for rotatably mounting said set of bars about an axis, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars interdigitating with the bars of the first set, at least one member mounted for rotation withthe bars of the second set upon an axis eccentric and askew to the axis of the bars of the first se. andarranged to control the bars of the second set through ball and socket connections therewith.

12. Reel mechanism comprising a set of spaced longitudinally extending bars, means for rotatably mounting said set of bars about an axis, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars interdigitating with the bars of the first set. a member mounted for rotation with the bars of the second set upon an axis eccentric to that of the first set ofbars, a second member mounted for rotation with the bars of the second set upon an axis inclined to the axis of the first rotatable member, the first member being so mounted and the two members being so connected to the' bars of the second set that the first member follows the motion transmitted by the bars from the second member.

13. Reel mechanism comprising a set of spaced longitudinally extending bars, means for rotatably mounting said set of bars about an axis, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars interdigitating with the bars of the first set, at least two rotatable members for supporting the bars of the second set. one of said members being mounted upon anfaxis eccentric to that of the first set of bars, another of said rotatable members being mounted for rotation upon an axis inclined to the axis of said first rotatable member, the construction and arrangement being such that the motion of the first-mentioned rotatable 14. Reel mechanism comprising a set of spaced longitudinally extending bars, means for rotatably mountingsaid set of bars about an axis, a

- second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bars interdigitating with the'bars of the first set, at least two rotatable members for supporting the bars of the second set, one of said members being flexibly resilient and being mounted upon an axis eccentric to that of the flrstset of bars,

another of said rotatable members being mounted for rotation upon an axis inclined to the axis of said first rotatable member and universal connections between the bars of the second set andthe rotatable members.

15. Reel mechanism comprising a set of spaced longitudinally extending bar members, means for rotatably mounting said set of bar members about an axis comprising two spaced supporting members substantially enclosing the space within said reel bars at each end thereof and thereby forming with the bars a rotatable cage-like housing, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bar members interdigitating with the members of the first set and having portions projecting inwardly of the cage-like housing, flexible and resilient means secured to the inwardly'projecting portions and extending inwardly therefrom for supporting the second set rotatably about an axis offset with respect to the axis of rotation of the first set, said supporting means being so constructed and arranged as to permit with resilient opposition relative longitudinal reciprocatory motion among the bars of the second set, and sealing means, extending substantially the entire length of the space inside the cage-like housing and having intermediate portions'secured to the inwardly projecting portions of the second set of bar members, for enclosing the flexible and resilient supporting means.

16. Reel mechanism comprising a set of spaced longitudinally extending bar members, mean for rotatably mounting said set of bar members about an axis comprising two spaced supporting member substantially enclosing the space within said reel bars at each end thereof and thereby forming with the bars a rotatable cage-like housing, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bar members interdigitating with the members of the first set and having portions projecting inwardly of the cage-like housing, flexible and resilient means secured to the inwardly projecting portions and extending inwardly therefrom for supporting the second set rotatably about an axis offset with respect to the axis of rotation of the first set,

1 tions secured to the inwardly projecting portions of the second set of bar members, for enclosing the flexible and resilient supporting means and the motion-imparting means.

1?. Reel mechanism comprising a set of spaced ing with the bars a rotatble cage-like hora-sing, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bar members interdigitating with the members of the 'first set and having portions projecting inwardly.

of the cage-like housing, flexible and resilient means secured to the inwardly projecting portions and extending inwardly therefrom for supporting the second set rotatably about an axis offset with respect to the axis of rotation of the first set, means for imparting to a selected part of the second set of bar members at predetermined intervals a substantially axial reciprocatory motion relative to the first set of .bar members, said motion-imparting means comprising at least one member mounted for rotation with the bar members of the second set upon an axis askew to the axis of the bar members of the second set, and

flexible sealing means, extending substantially the entire length of the space inside the cagelike housing and having intermediate portions serotatably mounting said set of bar members about.-

an axis comprising two spaced supporting members substantially enclosing the space within said reel bars at each end thereof and thereby forming with the bars a rotatable cage-like housing, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bar members interdigitating with the members of the first set and having portions projecting inwardly of the cage-like 'housing, flexible and resilient means secured to the inwardly projecting portions and extending inwardly therefrom for supporting the second set rotatably about an axis oflfset with respect to the axis of rotation of the first set, means for imparting to a selected part of the second set of bar members at predetermined interval a substantially axial reciprocatory motion relative to the first set of bar members, said motion-imparting means comprising at least one member mounted for rotation with the bar members of the second set upon an axis askew to the axis of the bar member of the second set and arranged to co-operate with the bar members of V the second set through rigid extension from the inwardly projecting portions thereof, and flexible sealing means extending substantially the entire length of the space inside the cage-like housing and having intermediate portions secured to the inwardly projecting portions of the second set of bar members, for enclosing the flexible and resilient supporting means and the motion-imparting means.

19. Reel mechanism comprising a set of spaced, longitudinally extending bar members, means for rotatably mounting the set of bar members about an axis comprising two spaced supporting members substantially enclosing the space within said reel bars at each end thereof and thereby forming with the bars a rotatable cage-like housing, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bar a members interdigitating with the members of the first set and having portions projecting inwardly of the cage-like housing, a stationary eccentric bearing means, at least one flexible and resilient longitudinally extending :bar members, means for rotatably mounting said set of bar members about an axis comprising two spaced supporting members substantially enclosing the space within said reel bars at each end thereof and thereby formweb mounted on the eccentric bearing means and secured to the inwardly projecting portions and 11 plate-like member mounted for rotation on the skew bearing means and having a portion arranged to co-operate with the bar-members of the second set through rigid extensions from the inwardly projecting portions thereof, and flexible sealing means, extending substantially the entire length of the space inside the ca e-like housin and having intermediate portions secured to the inwardly projecting portions of the second set of be;- members, forenclosing the flexible and resilient supporting means and the motion-imparting means.

20. A cantilever thread-advancing reel supmy relative to the first set of bar members, and ilexmembers interdigitating with those of the first set and each having an inwardly projecting portion fixedly sec ed to an outer portion of the supporting means,'m eans mounted on said sleeve for controllaoly flexing the resilient supporting means for imparting to a selected part of the second set 'of bar members at predetermined intervals a substantially axial reciprocatory motion relative to the first set of bar members, and sealing means having its outer portion secured to the flange-like member and an intermediate portion secured to the inwardly projecting portions of the second set of bars for enclosing the motion-imparting means.

21. A cantilever thread-advancing reel supported from one end only thereof comprising a rotatable shaft, 9. flange-like member secured and keyed to the shaft, a set of spaced, longitudinally extending bar members carried by the flangelike member concentric with the shaft, a stationary sleeve about the shaft having eccentric external bearing portions thereon, flexible and resilient supporting means rotatably mounted on one of the eccentric bearing portions of the sleeve, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending bar members interdigitating with those of the first set and each having an inwardly projecting portion fixedly secured to an outer portion of the supporting means, another portion of the eccentric bearingsurface of the sleeve being arranged with its axis askew to the axis of the shaft, a rigid plate like member mounted for rotation on the skew portion of the sleeve and having a portion arranged to co-operate with the bar members of the second set through rigid extensions from the inwardly projecting portions thereof, and sealing means havingits outer portion secured to the flange-like member and an intermediate portion secured to the inwardly projecting portions 1 the second set of bars for enclosing the motion-imparting means.

22. Reel mechanism comprising a shaft, 8. set of spaced longitudinally extending bar members mounted concentrically about the shaft for rotation with respect thereto, two spaced supporting members substantially enclosing the space within said reel bars at each end thereof and thereby forming with the bars a rotatable cagelike housing, a second set of spaced, longitudinally extending members interdigitating with the members of the first set and having portions projecting inwardly of the cage-like housing, flexible and resilient means secured to the inwardly projecting portions and extending inwardly therefrom for supporting the second set rotatably about the shaft about an axis oifset with respect to the center thereof, means for controllably flexing the resilient supporting means for imparting to a selected part of the second set of bar members at predetermined intervals a substantially axial reciprocatory motion ible sealing means, extending substantially the entire length of the space inside the cage-like housingv and having intermediate portions secured to the inwardly projecting portions of the second set of bar members, for enclosing the flex-- ible and resilient supporting means and the motion-imparting means.

23. Reel mechanism comprising a shaft, a set of spaced longitudinally extending bar members mounted concentrically about the shaft for rotation with respec't'thereto, two spaced supporting members substantially enclosing the space within said reel bars at each end thereof and thereby forming with the bars a rotatable eage like housing, a second set of spaced longitudinally extending members interdigitating with the members of the first set and having portions projecting inwardly of the cage-like housing, flexible and resilient means secured to the inwardly projecting portions and extending inwardly therefrom for supporting the second set rotatably about the shaft on an axis offset with respect to the center thereof, means for imparting to a selected part of the second set of bar members at predetermined intervals a substantially axial reciprocatory motion relative to the first set of bar members, said motion-imparting means comprising at least one member mounted for rotation with the bar members of the second set upon an axis askew to the axis of the bar members of the second set and arranged to co-operate with the bar members of the second set through rigid extensions from the inwardly projecting portions thereof, and flexible sealing means, extending substantially the entire length of the space inside the cage-like housing and having intermediate portions secured to the inwardly projecting portions of the second set of bar members, for enclosing thelflexible and resilient supporting means and the motion-imparting means.

RICHARD w. STANLEY.. wiuasM B. LOWE. 

